MIRI: Malaysian maritime authorities intercepted and detained a suspected Vietnamese fishing vessel operating illegally in Sarawak waters, arresting its crew and confiscating an estimated RM2 million in vessel assets, fuel and catch.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said the vessel was stopped at 7.16 pm on Oct 31, 70 nautical miles northwest of Suai.
The operation followed coordinated intelligence sharing aimed at preventing persistent incursions by foreign fishing vessels along the state’s coastline.
According to Miri Maritime Zone director, Maritime Captain Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad, the vessel had attempted to flee when approached by patrol assets, behaving aggressively before enforcement personnel gained control and boarded for inspection.
The skipper and four crew members, all believed to be Vietnamese and aged between 36 and 53, failed to produce any identification or valid documentation permitting their presence in Malaysian waters.
Early findings showed the vessel had been fishing without authorisation in breach of Section 15(1)(a) of the Fisheries Act 1985.
The skipper is also under investigation for failing to report the vessel’s entry into national waters, an offence under Section 16(3) of the same Act.
All five individuals will additionally be investigated for immigration offences for not possessing valid travel documents.
If convicted, the skipper faces fines of up to RM6 million and each crew member up to RM600,000.
The vessel and all fishing equipment are subject to forfeiture.
Immigration offences carry penalties of up to RM10,000 in fines, up to five years’ imprisonment, and up to six strokes of the cane.
Seized items included 200kg of tuna, 300 litres of diesel and full fishing gear.
The detainees and vessel have been taken to the Miri Maritime Zone Vessel Detention Centre for further investigation.
Mohd Khairol stated that MMEA remains committed to safeguarding Malaysian waters from illegal exploitation.
“We will not tolerate foreign vessels plundering our maritime resources. Enforcement will continue, without exception,” he said.
The public is encouraged to report suspicious maritime activity through the 999 emergency line, the Miri Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 085-649111, or the Sarawak Maritime Operations Centre at 082-432544/082-432016.
